Matthew's Sharks

Info

I did my first pool dive in 1973 in Weymouth Dorset while on holiday. Having see Scuba Diving on the TV in the early 1960s it was something I always wanted to do. I was hooked. I has to wait till 1981 to do proper Scuba Diving in the sea.

Started teaching

I Joined BSAC in 1995 ending up as an Assistant Club Instructor. In 1999 I joined PADI where I also learnt to handle a RIB with the South African Special Forces in Lagebaan Cape Province RSA.

Dived at

I have dived Med, coasts of Africa, Australia, UK, Red Sea, Tenerife.

Occupation

Semi retired.

Hobbies outside diving

Anything to do with water.

Info

My first diving experience was a try dive whilst on holiday at Malta, I loved it straight away and was hooked immediately. As soon as I got back to the UK I started my Open Water, which I completed in 2001 and then my Advanced Open Water in 2002, I then went on to become a Divemaster in 2003. After this I did some work as a Divemaster, but did less diving whilst at university. I have recently qualified as an Instructor after completing my degree.

Learnt to dive in

2001

Started teaching

2009

Dived at

Tenerife, Red Sea, Fiji, New Zealand, the Philipennes, UK

Occupation

IT support worker

Hobbies outside diving

When I'm not diving or organising diving, I enjoy playing or watching rugby, socialising and reading about, experimenting with and playing on computers.

Info

I had my first scuba lesson when I was 15 years old - in a pool in Hawaii. After reading my first shark book which included all the shark attacks from around that Island, I then frightened myself out of diving there - which is my biggest regret.

From then on my love for sharks grew, I went off to university to study Natural History and Biodiversity and Conservation and as my love for sharks grew and grew so did the need to see them in their natural habitats. I learnt to dive in Malta and when I returned wanted to improve my skills and put them to good use by joining a club and being part of a team. I joined hlsd in 2007 and haven't looked back.

Started teaching

2009

Dived at

I've dived around the UK coast, Malta, Guadulupe Islands, Mozambique, Canary Island's

Occupation

I work as an Aquarist/Diver at London Aquarium. Here i'm part of the displays team that take care of the animals.

Hobbies outside diving

When i'm not diving I am normally playing a musical instrument of some kind - i'm a keen drummer. I enjoy most sports which include a good game of tennis.

Info

I started diving in a about 2001. The company I wokred for were subsidising the PADI Open Water Couse, so I took the course and never looked back. For the first few years I dived mainly on holiday's before joining HLSD about five years ago.

Learnt to dive at

Weymouth

Started diving in

UK and Tenerife

Dived at

Various locations around the UK and Europe

Occupation

Marketing manager

Hobbies outside diving

Cooking/Socialising!

Info

I started diving in 2006. I wanted to dive for a long time so when the opportunity presented itself I had a try dive and was bitten by the bug.

Learnt to dive at

Harbour Lights Scuba Diving club.

Started diving in

2006 in the UK.

Started teaching

Started assisting teaching in 2008.

Dived at

I have dived in Tenerife and at various sites on the south coast of England.

Occupation

Support Worker - Working with adults with learning difficulties.

Hobbies outside diving

Keeping fit and enjoying life.